Diversionary grenade having watertight seal

Abstract

A grenade is defined by a body made from a rubberized material, the body including a hollow interior and a stem section. A cap is releasably secured to the stem section, the cap retaining a fuze assembly which is threadingly engaged therewith. The grenade is equipped with an ejection charge that causes said cap and said fuze assembly to be separated from said body prior to detonation of the grenade. A hydrophobic sealing layer applied to the exterior of the stem section and cap provides a watertight seal relative to the interior of the grenade, but without substantially interfering with the ejection of said cap and fuze assembly.

1 . A grenade comprising:
 a body made from a rubberized material, said body including a hollow interior and a stem section;   a cap attached releasably to the stem section of said grenade body;   a fuze assembly threadingly attached to said cap;   an ejection charge that causes said cap and said fuze assembly to be separated from said body prior to detonation of said grenade; and   a hydrophobic sealing layer applied to the exterior of said stem section and said cap, said sealing layer providing a watertight seal relative to the interior of said grenade without substantially interfering with the ejection of said cap and fuze assembly.   
     
     
         2 . A grenade as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said cap is made from plastic. 
     
     
         3 . A grenade as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said waterproofing sealing layer includes a synthetic rubber. 
     
     
         4 . A grenade as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said grenade is non-lethal. 
     
     
         5 . A grenade as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said sealing layer is applied over a minimum thickness of about 0.001 and about 0.100 inches. 
     
     
         6 . A method of fabricating a waterproof grenade, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a grenade body made from a rubberized material, said grenade having a hollow interior and a stem section extending therefrom;   attaching a cap to said stem section, said cap including a center opening sized for receiving a fuze assembly, said cap being releasably attached to said stem section;   applying a sealing layer to the exterior of said cap and said stem section, including an attachment boundary therebetween, said sealing layer comprising a hydrophobic material; and   attaching said fuze assembly to said cap.   
     
     
         7 . A method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said fuze assembly includes an ejection charge for jettisoning said cap from said grenade body prior to detonation of said grenade, said sealing layer being applied so as not to substantially affect the ability of said ejection charge to jettison said cap and fuze assembly from said grenade. 
     
     
         8 . A method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said fuze assembly is threadingly attached to said cap. 
     
     
         9 . A method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said cap is made from a plastic material. 
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said grenade is non-lethal. 
     
     
         11 . A method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said sealing layer is applied by brush. 
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 8 , further including the step of applying an epoxy to the threaded connection between said fuze assembly and said cap. 
     
     
         13 . A method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said sealing layer includes a liquified synthetic rubber. 
     
     
         14 . A method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said sealing layer is applied at room temperature. 
     
     
         15 . A method as recited in  claim 6 , including the additional step of roughening the surfaces of said cap and said stem section prior to said applying step.